Given these choices of next bike, what would you choose?

[tt_four]

I know how you feel. I switched bikes 15 times before I settled on one I wanted. I had always wanted a gsxr750 when I was younger and figured it would be my next bike, but then I stopped riding for a few years. Then when I came back I was married and had a house, and didn't feel like riding how I used to. This time around I thought I wanted a 1000cc bike so I could just ride with the torque off of the low RPMs and take it easy for a while. I started considering a Z1000 for a while, then came back to the gsxr750, then I think I got into a mix of 636r and 600rrs, not to mention I always loved Buells but I was hoping to find a cheap fixer-uppers, and when it comes to beat up bikes I didn't want to mess with anything that wasn't japanese for the sake of finding cheap used parts.

In the end HD pulled the plug on Buell and I knew if I was going to ever own one this would be the time to do it. There are definitely things I'd enjoy with some of the other bikes I was considering but if you pick what you want you'll definitely be happy. The main downsides to mine are that it'll eventually be impossible to get new parts for it, so it'll completely be a matter of what I can find on ebay and buell forums. That makes me want to take it easy on the bike, and keep the miles low. I still ride back roads like it was meant to be ridden, but in general I'm pretty soft on the bike and don't really waste many miles on the highway. It would be nice to have a bike I didn't hate thought of riding too much. I just know it's gonna be sad someday when it rolls over to 50k miles and is starting to look pretty beat up, so I'm gonna push that day away as far as I can.

On the plus side, we've already got 2 dogs, and that was plenty for me. My wife found a puppy that she just had to have. I got her to agree to letting me pick up a second bike next fall when the current one is paid off. I'm just gonna go back to my original plan that I had before Buell went under and I decided to pick one up. I'm just gonna pick up a lightly roughed up japanese bike that I can get cheap, with a decently running motor but trashed plastics and other non-vital parts so I can just rebuild it how I want and have a bike that I won't have a second though about when I want to ride it hard, waste miles on the highway, leave it parked on a city street, ride in the rain, whatever. My XB can go to dedicated weekend/backroad duty.

Anyway, the whole point of that story is that all bikes have compromises, so there's no real point in worrying too much about something. If there's a bike you want, then that's the bike you want. If you only have money/space for one then you've gotta get what you want. Maybe someday down the line your wife(if you're married) will want something you don't want or need, and you can just tell her she can have it if you can get another bike.  



I still take the gs out for a ride every once in a while. It's still a nice ride, but it gets tough after you're used to leaving redlights with 70ft/lbs of torque.

[madjak30]

Yup, I hear ya...married with three kids, two dogs and limited space...that is part of my concern as well, being that the MT-01 is a discontinued bike.  I have heard stories of guys buying Japanese bikes that have been discontinued thinking "no big deal, the mfg is still there", but they don't continue making the parts once the bike is done it's run...makes me think the Wee Strom is the way to go, and build a muscle bike from available parts bikes...

Since test riding the other bikes, my GS500 seems a little lacking...but really, going down the road it clips along just fine...but the comfort issue is still there...feet too close to my butt...so a little more power and very comfortable, Wee Strom...but...

I have a feeling I will get the MT-01...but who knows...

[tt_four]

I live in the city, so even though all of my rides head to back roads out of town, I still have a couple miles of city riding at the beginning and end of every ride. I don't race away from redlights, but being able to pull away from one easily makes a big difference. Sometimes if I just want to go for a 30-45 minute ride I'll just stick in town, so again if I'm really working the GS just to leave redlights and get through traffic it's just not the same.

Have you considered the sv650/sv1000 as a mid-step/compromise between the MT01 and the Vstrom?

[madjak30]

Have you considered the sv650/sv1000 as a mid-step/compromise between the MT01 and the Vstrom?

Yup, I really like the SV650 (naked) and the newer Gladius, but they have similar peg to saddle distance to the GS500 which is too close for my liking...the SV650 is also a little more sporty...

I still think I will end up with the MT-01, even though both of the other options are more sensible...I just get a stupid grin on my face just thinking about that bike...

Later.

[madjak30]

I think I have been talked out of buying the MT-01...I am now looking at a Bandit 1250S...much more performance, better range (100kms more...bigger tank and more efficient), better mirrors....??

The Bandit just pulls harder and keeps on going...the passing performance is better...the only thing that is missing is the sound from the pipes...I think I can live with that.

Later.

[tt_four]

Get your practicality out of here!! 

My bike hates the highway, but that's ok because I do too.

[the mole]

Can you get the 1000cc V-Strom over there?

[mister]

Can you get the 1000cc V-Strom over there?

Cool, you're at 666 posts. Oooo... creepy spooky.

Mole, I'd always thought there wasn't that much diff between the 650 and the 1000 except in certain areas where most people wouldn't take the bike anyway. That is, most people wouldn't notice the difference between the two - what I've heard. You?

Michael

[madjak30]

Get your practicality out of here!! 

My bike hates the highway, but that's OK because I do too.

Yeah, your right...I was having a weak moment when I posted that...I talked to a couple of guys about the range issue on the MT-01...they said they regularly get 220-240kms (140-150 miles) before the warning light goes on and at that point there are 3 litres left in the tank.  So that isn't terrible.  And I don't see myself wanting to be in the saddle for more than that at a time anyway.

I haven't spent my money yet, so we'll see...

I'll keep you posted.

Later.

[mister]

Get your practicality out of here!! 

My bike hates the highway, but that's OK because I do too.

Yeah, your right...I was having a weak moment when I posted that...I talked to a couple of guys about the range issue on the MT-01...they said they regularly get 220-240kms (140-150 miles) before the warning light goes on and at that point there are 3 litres left in the tank.  So that isn't terrible.  And I don't see myself wanting to be in the saddle for more than that at a time anyway.

I haven't spent my money yet, so we'll see...

I'll keep you posted.

Later.

When designing a ride for a group, I have to make sure we get to a gas station around 200 kms. Not for rest reasons - heck, we are resting before we've ridden 200 kms - but because their bikes just don't have the range. As such, it tends to limit your exploring ability a tad - at least around these neck of the woods anyway.

I guess the GS has spoiled me like that. I will hit reserve anywhere between 330km and 360kms on my GS. And could easily create a ride that goes that distance without a Fuel stop. BUT, cause those who ride with me have such limited range, it's stop and fill up time. Which can be somewhat annoying when the fuel is not where you will be stopping - so you stop for the stop and then stop for a refuel 15 minutes up the road 

Sure. Sometimes I may fill up then as well. But it's a choice not cause I HAVE to otherwise I won't make it home or to the next planned stop where there is also fuel.

But hey, the Gladius has a shitty small tank while being Much thirstier than the GS, yet people get by. But that's Them. Such limits do not suit Me and the riding I like to do. Yes, we do have to keep fuel in mind more so than cagers do. But I like the flexibility of longer range.

I think you're in a spot now where no matter which bike you go with - the MT01 or the Bandit - you'll be wondering what the one you didn't pick would have been like had you picked it instead. It's called Buyers Remorse and all people get it. The nagging doubts After the purchase. Where Rational Thought now comes to the surface to niggle you about buying on Emotion Justified With Pseudo Logic.

The sort of logic that goes... you know, I could throw on a small jerry can with fuel to increase my range. But you know you'll never Really do it. Or that one that goes... I can always change the exhaust to make it sound Better - but Better is subjective. Or the one that really wants the one that's furthest out of reach for no other reason than to Prove that you Can have it.

So there are a few of us at work that have bikes. And more that ride dirt bikes. Of the road bikes, one guy Recently bought himself one of the new Triumph Thunderbirds. He's raved about it on and on. Reckons I should get one. Reckons the bloke looking into getting an XJR1300 should get one instead, reckons the guy on the VTR1000 should get one. Reckons the fellow on the R6 should get one. Why? Are they That good? Well, listening to him you'd think it's the best bike ever made. He should get a retainer for all the touting he does. (Can't be That good seeing has he's already had to have the forks replaced and some other warranty issues as well as change the seat and handlebars cause the stock ones are not good) But the Real reason.... he doesn't want to be the only guy who jumped into the cold water; the only crab in the bucket; etc. He will Feel Better about His expensive purchase if Others buy one too.

See. If you got the MT01 and we all went and bought bandits you'd be thinking... I made the wrong choice.
BUT. If you bought the Bandit and we all went and bought MT01s you'd think... I made the wrong choice.

So essentially, you'll buy the one you justify with pseudo logic the most, then regret buying it and wonder what the other bike would have been like - regardless of which bike you end up buying.

Enjoy your anguish 

Michael

[the mole]

+1 to your last post!
I haven't ridden either of the Stroms,but have heard the 1000 is on the heavy side of fun. The 650 is growing on me, had a chat to a really cute young woman who has one at the servo where we met (before you guys arrived) and she was singing its praises. I like most of the Strom, but am dubious about working on it. It looks less accessible than the GS, and there are too many valves and camshafts! I just like older stuff thats easy to wrench on. My old R60/6 spoilt me in that regard. On old 750 or 1000 BMW would suit me, if only I could buy a 5 year old one instead of 25.
The GS does everything I need at the moment, although there are always things I'd like to improve. I need to sell other toys before upgrading the bike.

[tt_four]

If you think riding with someone on a 140 mile talk range is annoying you'd never survive riding with someone on a supermoto. An ex-GSer from this board that I ride with has one and I think he switches to reserve at about 70 miles, haha. I always fill up every 100 miles out of habit(gas light comes on about 130-140miles), so 70 miles isn't really an issue. I'm sure some areas are different but I don't think I've ever really gone on a ride where I rode 140 miles without being near a gas station or two in the process anyway.

Glad to hear you're debating the MT01 again!! I stopped checking out this thread for a week or so out of boredom after you said you had decided on the Bandit, haha. I like Bandits, but no where near as much as the Yamaha. I ride my bike for fun so that's at the top of my priorities list. It doesn't have the highest top speed, doesn't have that big of a tank, and sucks at the highway, but none of those are even the slightest bit important to me so it really doesn't matter.

[madjak30]

I did some more research, and I don't think the range on the bike is much worse than most cruisers...so really, it isn't that big of a deal...

I don't really ride more than an hour to an hour and a half before I need to stop anyway, so unless I am blasting at 160kph (100mph) I shouldn't have any issues.

Like I said...still haven't spent my money...but I'm getting closer!!   

Later.

[mister]

Something else I thought I'd throw in again. It's been mentioned a couple of times but not really indepth...

1st: Went riding on the weekend with a bunch of people with bikes the likes of ZX9, Street triple, 1250 Bandits, Triumph Tiger, SV1000 and so on. The guy on the ZX9 now has a new respect for the GS - as do some of the others who were Surprised, lets just say, at the bike's ability in the twisties. Straights they win, hands down. But we had fun.

Anyway. At lunch the SV1000 rider remarked how he's just bought a 2nd Vstrom 650 - he now has three bikes, the Vstrom for him and his SV1000 and now a Vstrom for his son. So he certainly likes the Vstroms.

Onward...

You know how when a house by the wter is sold it is sold emphasizing the View. Well, you know what happens after a while? The view becomes meaningless. Cause you cannot live in the view you can only look at it. And as it is become Used to, it's not so magical as it once was. So the people are left only to the functionality of the dwelling.

To me, motorcycles are like the view. present, attitude, looks, styling, are things that you get used to. What lasts through it all and is still there once you don't notice the looks anymore, is the comfort and handling. Looks mean nothing when you ass stings. Looks mean nothing when you back is sore and achy from bad body mechanics due to the position of everything on the bike.

No matter how good it looks, if it's not comfortable to ride, you won't enjoy riding and you'll ride Much less or not at all.

Michael

[tt_four]

You definitely won't keep a bike long or enjoy it if it's not a fun bike to ride, a bike can't survive off of looks alone. I can however say that I've owned bikes for years that I thought were good looking, and I still got joy just from standing next to it looking at it years later. It may not be as exciting as the first night you brought it home, but every time I run downstairs to grab a screwdriver I get the same exciting feeling again just seeing my bike so I can't completely agree that the 'view' will always fade away to a point that it's not worth anything anymore.

Anyway.... the reason I opened this thread, I came across this old comparison from Bike magazine from a couple years ago of the top 50 cornering bikes. As much as I assumed it would be a heavy pig, the MT01 ranked #19 out of the 50 bikes they graded, so it much still be a pretty decent and fun ride. Thought it was worth tossing in for your consideration..... http://www.steveturnbull.co.uk/buell/thexbpages/downloads/biketop50.pdf

[Twisted]

Very interesting read and I noted there are some really old bikes at the top of the list as well 

[SAFE-T]

The MT-01 sounds flatulent  and I have never seen many of them on the road, which is usually a decent indicator of how useful they are.

The DL650 V-Strom has about 30 hp more than your GS. I think you may be surprised if you haven't ridden one yet.

[Electrojake]

I just got back from a ride on my GS, and I still enjoy riding it.  
I'm going to have a hard time justifying a less efficient and smaller tank bike...I sometimes wonder if I would be happy just keeping the little Suzuki. Or maybe just getting the V-Strom DL650, same mileage with a bigger tank and more leg room...

This is why I don't just run out and buy it...but in reality, my ride today was only 150kms...
Maybe I'm worrying about nothing...
Naaah...disreguard this whole post...I'll just get the bike I want, and make it work...
Later.

What to pick?
1.  MT-01
2.  Bandit
3.  V-strom
4.  Boulevard

No problem, I'm here to give you just what everyone needs. . .
Advice from a noobie!
Unfortunately the question can't be answered with "one" bike.    Owning multiple bikes is the only answer.

Some facts. . .
You will need a heavy cruiser for your machismo.
You will need a V-Strom as a utility rig, unless you're a short old man or you plan on keeping your GS500.
And you really should have a street fighter like a Bandit for those days when you get home from work a bit angry and need to cleanse your demons.

Since you're obviously a man of good taste and sophisticated needs, I strongly suggest you get the Bandit first for your next bike. And by all means, hold onto the GS500 until you get a V-Strom to park next to the Bandit.
Glad I could help,
-Ej-

[EndlessProject93]

I'm kind of partial to the blvd. maybe it's because I own one.....hard to tell  .... I've got an 06 M50 that I bought used in the summer of 07. I noticed how you said you were worried about your size. I personally am a small guy but I have a very good friend who fits into the larger category. he had a volusia (carburated C50) and it hauled him around just fine. I went out and bought mine because after I rodde his, I fell in love. I've put 18xxx miles on it since I've owned it. all I do is change the oil and put gas in it. just my pair of cents. the other ones are good choices too tho.

[madjak30]

The MT-01 sounds flatulent  and I have never seen many of them on the road, which is usually a decent indicator of how useful they are.

The DL650 V-Strom has about 30 hp more than your GS. I think you may be surprised if you haven't ridden one yet.

I quite like the sound of the bike, and as for not seeing any...well if you live in the States, they didn't import that bike...I don't think they had the confidence that it would sell, and it probably wouldn't have since it didn't sell well anywhere else...but I have been considering the Wee-Strom as well, although the power difference is more like 20Hp (47Hp in the GS, and 67Hp but still significant)...

I'm kind of partial to the blvd. maybe it's because I own one.....hard to tell  .... I've got an 06 M50 that I bought used in the summer of 07. I noticed how you said you were worried about your size. I personally am a small guy but I have a very good friend who fits into the larger category. he had a volusia (carburated C50) and it hauled him around just fine. I went out and bought mine because after I rodde his, I fell in love. I've put 18xxx miles on it since I've owned it. all I do is change the oil and put gas in it. just my pair of cents. the other ones are good choices too tho.

The M50 was the bike I wanted when I started looking seriously at getting my license a couple of years ago...I don't know if I want to get the M90 because of the extra 120ish lbs over the M50...

I went for a ride this afternoon on my GS500...I was out for about 2.5hrs and I really enjoyed the ride, I actually didn't find the power of my bike lacking at all...so I may just wait a year and get the "upgrade" next September...get more experience before purchasing the next toy...

I'm having a hell of a time making up my mind...I think I just like any bike...

I'll keep you posted...

Later.